Reddington Triplets honoring Evan!!

Caitlin not only "giving HOPE" by enlisting in the Army, but by recruiting her classmates to join the NMDP: Read how she did it!!

I first learned about Evan when a friend of mine joined the “Fight for Evan” facebook group, and I happened to click on it to see what the group was about. I followed the link on the group to the caringbridge site. I don’t why, but something drew me into his story and once I started reading the journal I couldn’t stop. I continued to follow Evan’s fight and came to feel very connected to Evan and his family. Like everyone else, I was heartbroken on Nov. 2, when I read the message that he had passed away. In the coming months, however, I saw Evan’s family turn their grief and devastation into a mission to save lives. For a long time, I had felt somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that I had been given such an intimate glimpse into a family’s life, while doing nothing with that gift. However, as a recent college graduate without the means to host a drive on my own, I didn’t know what I could do.
At USC I had gone through on a ROTC scholarship. After we get commissioned, the Army requires us to go through two military schools, one of which I began this past September. This first week I was there I noticed our Commander had put up a sign for a Blood Drive at the end of the course. When I saw that, I realized this was my chance to become part of the “Evan Entourage.” The Department of Defense has a program that works with the NMDP to register members of the military. They not only fully fund the drives, but also help track military members so that if they come up as a match they can be brought home from wherever they are in the world to be donors.
I went to my commander with my proposal and was told that so long as I took care of everything there I could host the drive. Originally I had been hoping they were already planning one and I could just give a talk beforehand about the importance of registering, so I was a little overwhelmed at the idea of setting it all up myself. Fortunately, as soon as I contacted Gina, she reassured me and was there every step of the way to help me with anything I needed. Much to my surprise, setting up the drive was easy! The DoD sent me everything I needed in terms of supplies and instructions and Gina provided me with all the information I needed to properly inform people about registering.
As an introverted person who doesn’t like speaking in front of crowds, the only part I was really nervous was giving my speech to the classmates about why they should register. I arranged for groups to come see me by platoon (which is around 40 people each), meaning I would give my plea 5 times! Before the first group, I was incredibly nervous. My biggest fear was that people wouldn’t want to register, and that was only added to by the fact that I overheard a number of comments as people came into the room saying that they weren’t going to do it! But as I shared Evan’s story, I could see that people were listening, and when I finished I could hardly believe it when nearly everyone came up to take an envelope to register – even those very same people who had said coming in that they weren’t going to! By the end of the day, I had two full boxes of new registration envelops. To realize that 134 people decided to become potential donors that day was extremely humbling.
Being able to host a drive was such a blessing to me. I can’t wait to do another one and I’m so thankful to Gina for all her help and for letting me be part of the “Entourage.” I encourage anyone who has thought about getting involved to just take that first jump and do it. You can do it!!

Melodie is going through workup to donate her KIDNEY!!

I have been following Evan's page since the fall when I watched your story on ABC news. I wanted to tell you that because of Evan's story and your commitment to helping save more lives with BAHBAD, I am waiting for paperwork to see if I am a match for a kidney transplant for a 13 year old boy named Patrick Sibert. I read Patrick's story through a Care Pages site I follow. Patrick is in Minnesota and has renal failure and is in dire need of a kidney. I know you already know this, but what you are doing is great work.

Why did I decide to do this? Well, I follow so many Caring Bridge and Care Pages and I see how parents like yourself and their children are fighting and suffering. Since I started following a lot of these pages a couple of years ago I have seen so many of these brave kids, warriors, die. I have two sons, both healthy and active. For that I am grateful. I read your page and these other pages and I wonder if I would be strong enough to handle what they are going through. As a friend at church told me "When you are put in situation, God will give you the strength". I found out about Patrick through a Care Page I follow. When I read it my first thought was "you do it". Then I thought "wow, that's huge I can't do that". Then I read further and the message said A or O blood would be most compatible with Patrick. Immediately I thought "I have B+ blood. Whew, dodged a bullet". But I just couldn't leave well enough alone. I told myself to look at my blood donor card and if my blood matched his I would call the number. Well I pull out my donor card fully expecting to see B+. Well, I have A+ blood. I immediately prayed, first thanking God for the sign, then asking him for courage to follow through with making the call. I did it and got a call back last Friday. As I told you earlier I am waiting for more paperwork and the vials to have my blood drawn.

This is also a "pay it forward" situation for me. My husband was diagnosed bi-polar in April 2008 and has been in and out of work since August. Thankfully he currently has a job and is doing well with his meds, but we have been struggling financially. Members of our church family have stepped up and taken care of us financially and when I just need someone to cry to. I am so grateful for their help that I want to help someone else in turn. If I can't help Patrick, I'll try to help someone else.

Jill Dupree inspired by Evan to cut her hair for Locks of Love

I met Evan at Cali Kari's house right after his diagnosis and he was so damn cute. In learning his story and how even small things can help (not just Evan but all kids who are ill), I realized that hair was "something that I can do" with little effort from me. It's a gimmie, no excuse not to do it.
I've joked with Kari about waiting for the call from the bone marrow registry, logically knowing that it will probably never come, but sometimes I can't get over thinking that it can truly come at any moment. It's really an awesome thought knowing you're in the pool to be the one to save someone. You are my motivation and so is your son.
Your friend who's praying and pulling for your family,
Jill
P.S. Thanks for the tip on John Russo Dexter, I have an appointment to donate blood for him on for Feb 18th.